Press Release  AG Campbell Issues Statement After Judge Extends Temporary Restraining Order Blocking Trump Administration’s Directive Demanding States Claw Back SNAP Benefits

Boston — Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell today issued the following statement after a federal judge in Massachusetts indicated she would extend a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump Administration from demanding that states “undo” any actions taken to authorize the issuance of full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in response to a court order in Rhode Island, as well as by guidance issued directly from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).  

“I am grateful to the court for meeting the urgency of this moment and calling out the chaos, confusion, and unacceptable delays the federal government has caused in getting full SNAP benefits to hungry Americans,” said AG Campbell. “The Trump Administration continues to resist its legal and moral responsibility to ensure Americans have access to food, but I will continue to lead the fight to ensure that all Massachusetts residents – including children, elders, veterans, and people with disabilities – are able to put food on the table. Their hunger should not be used as a weapon in the president’s political game.” 

On November 7, after the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island ordered USDA to make full SNAP benefits available to the states, USDA informed states that it was complying with the Court’s order and completing the processes necessary to make full SNAP benefits available. As a result of the court’s order and USDA’s guidance, Massachusetts and other states took action to authorize the release of full SNAP benefits for their residents.   

One day later, after successfully filing an emergency application with the Supreme Court to block the lower court’s order, USDA abruptly demanded that states “undo” the efforts taken to administer full SNAP benefits. The federal government threatened to hold states financially liable for taking steps to process full benefits for their residents.  

Following that demand, AG Campbell and the coalition filed a further motion for a temporary restraining order, asking the court to block the Trump Administration’s directive. This afternoon’s ruling extends a previous order granting the coalition’s motion.  

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